We love mife and we don’t care who knows it!
The 2000 FDA approval of mifepristone (or mife as we affectionately call it), one of two pills used in medication abortion, was a game changer for abortion care. The ability to offer and provide medication abortion with a combination regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol gave pregnant people more options. The availability of mife means people needing abortion care are now able to choose their preferred method of care that best meets their personal wants and needs.
If you didn’t know, mifepristone is incredibly safe! In fact, it’s been shown to be safer than many other common medicines including Tylenol, Viagra, and penicillin. Despite its proven safety record and increased use since approval, access to mifepristone continues to be restricted, and more recently mife is facing an onslaught of attacks from state legislatures and courts.
THE FDA: A HATER
Despite the enormous and rigorous body of evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the medication, the FDA has restricted the distribution of mifepristone. Extensive research and data support mifepristone’s safety and the ability of patients to use the medication as indicated. It is clear that restrictions on mifepristone are an unnecessary burden and not in line with medical evidence. Even though the FDA has periodically updated its requirements for mifepristone, it continues to serve as a medically unnecessary barrier to accessing the medication.
THE COURTS: HATERS, TOO
As you’ll recall, the Supreme Court heard a challenge on the approval of mifepristone just this past year. While many were shocked by FDA v. AHM, we were not surprised and filed an amicus brief with the Court explaining why mifepristone is essential medication. The hateful attacks and rhetoric about mifepristone are just another form of anti-abortion efforts aimed at stocking fear and confusion. While the dismissed the case on standing, saying that the plaintiffs, AHM, should not have been allowed to bring the case, they failed to affirm the safety and FDA approval of mife.
AND THE LEGISLATURES? DON’T GET US STARTED
In another example of blatant disregard for the proven scientific and medical safety of mife, the Louisiana legislature voted this year to classify mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances starting October 1, 2024. This means that providers and patients will have new barriers to prescribing and accessing these critical medications. These medications are used for numerous indications including miscarriage management and hemorrhage which may require critical timely medical intervention. Now designated as a controlled substance, providers will have medically unnecessary and unjustified barriers to accessing these medications. In addition to the practical challenges caused by a medication being classified as a controlled substance, this new law has created confusion for both patients and providers on whether they are able to access mifepristone or misoprostol at all. Which is always the point.
In the face of constant attacks, we will continue to follow the science and medicine that tells us over and over again that mifepristone (and misoprostol!) is safe. Abortion is normal, essential, everyday health care. And we will continue to fight back against any and all baseless attempts that seek to remove access to this critical medication.
Cheers to you, mife!
Adrienne Ramcharan, MPH
Assistant Director, State Policy